St. Landry democrat., 1887-04-02

prudence-a feeling more powerful with
him than most others-restrains him.
He il obliged, however, to move her
chair into the exact position pointed out,
and to perform divers other small SER
vices for her with a smiling face and ap-
parently willing air, while grinding
under the thought that he is leaving the
other two free to carry on a low CONVEX
sation uninterrupted.
Show angry you were about Grants
innuendo just now," whispers she,
drawing her skirts aside that he may drop
upon the low lounge beside her. "You
need not have been. Did you think I
never heard of that one little fiasco of
yours, eM'
She leans toward him and smiles q lit
tie. The young man starts and colors
hotly. YNt her smile is 30 sweet, so kind
never hiss her manner been SO repletc
with gentl0ness rs now.
"You knew-you heards
he.
why, yes. Was it such mighty sc
cret, such an awful crime' Did you
think | could not condune-forgive!'
She is still smiling on him, her beautl-
full eyes riveted upon his Massareene'
heart is beating passionately. He feels as
If he can scarcely breathe-and yet he is
breathing more freely than he has done
for long time, now that he knows she
knows. anG that after all she can tolerate
him Nay, it is surely more than tolera-
ton!
"You ese an angel" murmurs he in
turn On! the rapture of this whispered
conversation The knowledge that they
are-if not in body, at least in spirit
alonei "But II was my one otIense. l
pray you to believe that! After"ard l
met you And then-then it would have
been impossihe."
Her color pales slightly as she looks
into the loving eyes bent on hers. He
has put out his hand in his earnestness
and laid it upon hers-a strong hand,
slightly Drowned, as mans should be,
and very handsome. Somehow the
strength Of it appeals to her. lists owner
like it-firm, rcsolute2 He has, at all
events, been almost obstinatcly persist
ent in his courtship, clinging TO hope
when there was none to be seen any
where and steadfastly adhering to the be
lief that sail things coma to him who
knows how to wait" He is waiting still,
though small chance of a reward seems
to be his.
"There,' she says, rallying with an
effort, and compelling herself to meet his
gaze, ''you are pardoned, if pardon IS
what you want. ~
III want more than that" says Mr..
Massareene, who, having gained what
he had not dared to hope for half an hour
ago, now desires more. II WANT
''Of that another day." interrupts sh.
playfully. when will you learn to lie
wise, Gerald?"
"When I marry you, my sweet M n
erva"
''That will be never, then, greatly
doubt me''
''Still, there is doubt, you see."
s'To talk like this to me Is waste Of
tiule.''
'"To talk to you could never be waste
of time"
mot if you talk sensibly."
"And sure what can be more sensible
than to tell you that l love your says
the Irishman; s'unless it would be your
saying that you will take me Tor your
husbands'
''That would mean throwing up friends
and fortune"
'sJust sol Then do ii, says he.
What is to be done with q man like
thisa niilicent sighs He Is nearer vic
tory at this moment than he knows him
self to be. Miss Grey, glancing involun-
tarily at Grant. and then back again at
him, mentally comes to the conclusion
that any hope of happiness for her Lies In
an immediate surrender of all ties that
bind her to the former. But auntie, and
Uncle Timothy. and the world in gen
erals
s'Dear Gerald wish You would not
speak to me like this she says softly.
'YOu must know how useless 1t Is. ~
~ never knew I had nice name until
heard you say it, y says the irrepressible
Gerald, taking no notice of the substance
of her speech. sit sounds like music.
I'm awfully glad my mother christened
me Gerald"
"Whys Do you think could not pro
nounce any other name musica VI" asks
she, laughing In spite of herself.
"That's right like to hel you laugh"
says he. ''T'hey say In my country that
when a woman smiles the battle is won.
And sometimes l think"-
81 will not listen to you," declares
Miss Grey, beating her foot impatiently
upon the carpet. sit is not knd-it is
not right. You forget I am engaged to
Capt. Boyle"
"Bahl He doesn't count at ALL" says
MaSsareene. ''You can't marry such
fellow as that"
'What have you to say against hims"
asks she eagerly. Obi if only some in
s,irmountable obstacle could be shown.
'Why, notbing!" says Massareene,
"Only he is such abe checks himself
Just in time-"such an uncomfortable
sort of fellow" he concludes rather
lamely.
"Tell me, says Miss Grey, In a very
low tone. "you are q member of his club:
And have heard-that is, they say
he-gambles good deal Is this true?'
MIR. Massareene grows crimson.
''Ohi by Jove, you know! You can't
expect me to answer questions about
another man, and that man my rival"
he says. I'll didn't expect You would
do that, you know
"You won't tell me- them" says she.
II know nothing of his gambling. ]